ABSTRACT
'African information society' have become buzzwords among international development agencies. But what needs to be done in order to produce, manage and deliver relevant African information in Africa? Notwithstanding the spread of computer and communications infrastructure, the socioeconomic impact of information technology (IT) in Africa has repeatedly been rated as disappointing (Odedra, 1991; Korpela, 1994, pp. 141-52; Waema,1996). The analysis of some practical projects suggests that information systems are needed instead of just information technology (Avgerou and Mulira, 1996). The appropriateness of information technology is not a static 'yes' or 'no' issue, but determined in each concrete case during the information system analysis, design and implementation process as a fit to specific organisational objectives (Avgerou and Land, 1992). Thus in Africa as in all countries, African IT actors need ways and means of analysing, designing and implementing information systems which are adjusted to the specific organisational contexts and objectives prevalent in Africa.
